MPMN: What technical capabilities should a contract machinist possess?Day: It all starts with materials. To serve the needs of medical device OEMs, contract machinists should possess comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical properties and machinability of commonly used medtech materials, such as the full range of titanium alloys and stainless steels. However, raw materials alone don’t make devices. Knowledge of materials, combined with tooling proficiency, helps ensure that contract machinists will be able to produce prototype parts and subsequent iterations. This capability presupposes versatile CNC multiaxis and live tooling capability to achieve overall cost-effectiveness.

MPMN: What machining experience should the OEM require?Day: Medical device machining requires suppliers to convert difficult metals into close-tolerance parts with complex geometries. Fabricating such parts demands innovative and experienced tool selection. For example, such desirable metallurgical properties as durability and corrosion resistance result in high tool-wear rates that can affect part accuracy. Thus, OEMs should choose machining suppliers that can repeatably produce burr- and particulate-free components with exact dimensions. To that end, the machining partner must have ISO 9001:2008 or higher standards in place, be able to automatically monitor tool wear and process variables, and provide custom statistical reports. In addition, many components require specific surface finishes and treatments. OEMs should partner with machining suppliers that also offer in-house secondary services such as sandblasting, lapping, electropolishing, and passivation to complement their machining processes.

MPMN: Where is machining headed?Day: With growing demand for shrinking guidewires, stents, and drug-delivery systems in higher and higher volumes, suppliers may soon be expected to master multitasking tools and bar-fed milling machines. The ability to machine increasingly complex materials with tighter tolerances and specifications will also require suppliers to invest in automation or advanced CAD/CAM technologies. Moreover, contract machinists can serve the future technology needs of medical device OEMs by adopting learning-based software programs to leverage customized processes.